air conditioning

To survive a smoking hot Georgia summer, you need a cooling system that’s strong enough to take the heat. Without one, burnout can strike before the hot weather even gears up. Here’s how to ensure that your LaGrange home is a cool and welcoming refuge from the heat no matter what else is going on in your hectic life.

Get That AC Tuneup Out of the Way

Summer is a busy time, so schedule air conditioning maintenance early. You’ll beat the rush, and you’ll know that your air conditioner is good to go. Your service technician will optimize the system, and if anything needs to be fixed, you can get it done now and avoid breakdowns later. There’s nothing more stressful than a broken air conditioner in the middle of summer, and it always happens at the worst possible time.

Plan Summer Meals Around the Grill

Summer cooling costs add up, so even if your AC is performing like a champ, there’s no reason to stress your budget by making your HVAC work harder than it has to. Cooking can make your house a hot mess, but if you embrace the art of the cookout, your air conditioning costs won’t be so high. Barbecues are fun and easy; the heat and mess stay outside, and if you use disposable dinner wear, you won’t have to wash dishes either.

Don’t Tempt Fate With an Old Cooling System

If your AC is on its last legs, you might want to replace it now instead of waiting for the worst. Once summer gets underway, local HVAC contractors will be busy replacing broken air conditioners all over town; it might be days before you can get a new system installed. If you replace it now, you can get the most for your money, and if you take good care of it, you won’t have to worry about it for another 20 years.

At Airforce Heating and Air, we can help you choose a high-efficiency Carrier system that keeps your hot Georgia home blissfully cool and saves money on electric bills too. Visit our Specials Page to get a coupon for money off an AC tuneup or for a rebate on a new Carrier system. To schedule a free home cooling assessment, contact us.

When analyzing average energy consumption per household in the United States, Georgia ranks among the highest in the country. Although nearly half of the homes in LaGrange, Georgia, were built after 1990, most are larger than the country’s average, which offsets the energy efficiencies of living in a newer property.

To ensure a more energy-efficient home, it’s imperative to invest in spring air conditioning maintenance. Here’s how doing so will get you ready for this upcoming summer, which meteorologists predict will be hotter than ever.

Reduces Monthly Utility Bills That Burn You Up Internally

Cooling your home accounts for about 50 percent of your summer’s monthly electricity bills. While setting or programming your thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit or higher can curb those cooling costs, since each degree below that temperature can increase your bill by 4 percent, maintaining your AC is still the best way to ensure efficiency.

Decreases the Chances of a Major Breakdown During the Hottest Day

There’s no doubt that if your HVAC system is 12 to 15 years old, you should start thinking about replacing it with a more energy-efficient unit that has been qualified by ENERGY STAR and has a higher SEER. If your budget won’t allow for a system replacement just yet, the next best thing you can do is invest in professional AC maintenance to ensure your unit maximizes its capabilities and to decrease the chances of a major breakdown when you least need it.

Helps You Avoid the Risk of Injury So You Can Enjoy the Summer

Saving money for a new system – or for a family vacation this summer – by trying to maintain your air conditioner yourself can lead to serious injury if you aren’t properly trained to perform the complicated task. By entrusting an HVAC professional, you ensure your safety, health and property aren’t put in harm’s way.

If you’re thinking about purchasing a new AC this spring, or if you’d like to invest in professional HVAC maintenance on your current unit, read on about what to consider when buying a new cooling system or contact Airforce Heating & Air. We look forward to making your upcoming summer as cool and comfortable as possible.

The heat and humidity of a Georgia summer can create challenges in terms of home comfort, especially if your air conditioner is not functioning at its optimum. If you find that you are not achieving the energy or comfort results that you want, it might time to shop for a replacement system for your LaGrange, home. As you research your options, system features, size, and price can all impact your decision. Following are some important considerations as you make your selection for a new AC.

Contemporary AC Technology

Some of the most important advances in HVAC design focus on the ability to operate your air conditioner without being overwhelmed by noise. High-end systems offer sound levels of as low as 65 decibels. Additionally, compressors may be blanketed to keep outside noise to a minimum. Additional advanced features that can be beneficial include:

A multi-stage compressor – this allows system activity to be adjusted based on operational needs, offering low and high speeds to adjust airflow and noise levels.
Filter dryer system – important for reducing moisture and particulate damage to interior system components.
Smart thermostat compatibility – there are many wireless thermostat options, but some of the most advanced options are designed to work with specific AC brands and models.

In selecting a new cooling system, you may find that a heat pump is an excellent alternative to an air conditioner. This will provide not only efficient cooling for the summer months but also an affordable heating solution for winter. Consider a hybrid heat pump that would coordinate with your furnace for year-round home comfort.

Budget and Efficiency

Efficient HVAC equipment can make a huge difference in your utility expenses, but the systems with the greatest efficiency levels tend to be the most expensive to install. As you consider a new air conditioner, it is important to keep a balance in mind. You don’t have to select the most expensive system to achieve reliable results in your home, but opting for a system with higher price could provide significant energy savings over the estimated 15-year life of the equipment.

Professional Estimate

Input from your HVAC contractor is crucial for ensuring that your system’s size meets the demands of your home. Contact Airforce Heating & Air today to schedule a free estimate.

When you operate an aging air conditioner, you might naturally expect a decrease in the effectiveness over time. However, the reality is that AC maintenance actually provides you with the ability to improve not only the cooling efficiency of your system but also the indoor air quality of your LaGrange, Georgia home. Maintenance should be scheduled during the spring months to ensure that your equipment is optimized prior to the onset of summer’s heat. Following are three ways in which preventive maintenance improves comfort levels in your home.

Maximum Cooling Ability

Many facets of your air conditioner can inhibit the ability of the system to efficiently remove heat from the indoor air, a necessity for delivering cool air throughout your residence. Dirty coils, for example, create a barrier that prevents the heat transfer needed to treat the air. A refrigerant leak can prevent proper cooling activity as well. During AC maintenance, your technician will clean coils and other parts that are prone to collecting dust and grime. Additionally, your technician will check for refrigerant problems. Each of these issues can affect your system’s energy efficiency by 15 percent or more, another incentive for making preventive maintenance an annual priority.

Better Air Movement

Clogged evaporator coils and dirty ducts can affect your home’s IAQ as well as your comfort. Even if your air conditioner cools your air supply to the desired temperature, a weak airflow can interfere with your home’s comfort levels. As your maintenance technician cleans coils and inspects ducts, you can benefit from a stronger flow of cool air as your system operates. Further, your technician could identify broken parts that may interfere with moving air efficiently through your structure. This service allows these issues to be identified and corrected.

Improved Humidity Management

High humidity levels in your home also affect comfort and even health. As humidity increases, you will feel warmer in spite of cooling activity. A clean and well-tuned air conditioner will promote dehumidification, which means that the indoor air temperature will feel cooler so you avoid the urge to reduce the temperature on the thermostat, thus saving energy.
You can learn more about our AC maintenance plans, or contact our office to schedule an appointment today.

A properly functioning air conditioner will deliver energy-efficient performance and comfort when it is correctly sized, installed and maintained in a well-insulated and sealed home. However, a problem in these or other areas can affect the functioning of your HVAC system. One consequence of problems within your HVAC system is an AC that runs constantly. This is cause for concern as it reduces the system’s energy efficiency, and could result in further damage.

How Long is Too Long?

There is no specific length of time in which a system should run as there are several factors that could affect the cycle. In hot, humid weather, you should expect longer AC cycles. Your system should really cycle on to keep the indoor temperature equivalent to the thermostat setting. However, regardless of the temperatures outdoor, if your AC runs constantly, there is cause for concern. Possible reasons include:

Equipment Size – If the unit is too small relative to the amount of space to be heated or cooled it could run longer trying to cool the entire space.
Thermostat Problems – Adjusting the thermostat several degrees higher or lower could cause it to run for a very long time before reaching the setpoint. This often happens for example when you try to get more comfortable temperatures after returning home. Whether you have a manual thermostat or programmable thermostat, be sure that it is set correctly. The thermostat could also be malfunctioning and unable to read the room temperature correctly. A problem with the thermostat’s sensor could cause the air conditioner to cycle constantly.
Inadequate Insulation – If there is not enough insulation or there are problems with the insulation, it could make it more difficult to heat or cool your home, and cause the system to keep running to reach the desired temperatures.
Ductwork Problems – leaky ducts or poor air flow through the ducts will make it difficult for rooms to reach the setpoint.

An AC that runs constantly is bad for your wallet. Contact the experts at Airforce Heating & Air to ensure that you are saving instead of wasting energy. Whether you need routine maintenance or other service , we will ensure your entire HVAC system keeps you comfortable all year long.

Air conditioners work by circulating pressurized refrigerant through the system, converting the substance from a liquid into a gas and back again. As the refrigerant evaporates into a gas during the cycle, heat is extracted from the indoor air and exhausted outside. When installed properly, the equipment is charged with the precise amount of refrigerant needed to keep you cool and dry for many years to come. Should a refrigerant leak develop, however, it is critical to take steps to fix it immediately.

Prevent Major Repairs

Whatever the causes of a refrigerant leak, the consequences will impact the system’s compressor motor. Air conditioner motors rely on the cooling effects of refrigerant to keep them from overheating. Most modern air conditioners and heat pumps are equipped with cutout switches that turn off the motor if the refrigerant level is low, but if the compressor continually stop and starts, it can damage the motor windings and lead to a costly repair or premature replacement.

Save Money on Energy Bills

Even a small refrigerant leak will have a negative effect on the system’s performance and energy efficiency. An undercharged system means that critical components won’t be able to maintain the correct levels of pressure needed to cycle the refrigerant efficiently. Your air conditioning system will experience longer running times, which drives up your operating costs, without delivering the cooling comfort you expect.

Protect the Environment

Some refrigerants contain chemicals that can damage the Earth’s protective ozone layer if exposed to the air. That’s why the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires technicians to pass an EPA-approved certification program before performing any service that might release refrigerant into the atmosphere.

As your trusted HVAC provider, Airforce Heating & Air ensures that our technicians are highly trained in the causes and consequences of refrigerant leaks in order to minimize equipment downtime and maximize your system’s efficiency. To learn more about our money-saving comfort solutions for your LaGrange home, or to schedule service, contact us today.